Justin Jackson averaged 12.2 points while helping UNC to the national championship game last season

Heeding the advice of several analysts that saw him perform at last week’s NBA Combine in Chicago, Justin Jackson has decided to withdraw his name from the upcoming draft and return to North Carolina for his junior season.

The 6-foot-8 wing averaged 12.2 points per game this season in helping the Tar Heels to within a last-second Villanova basket of the national championship.

Jackson was one of eight ACC underclassmen selected to perform at the Combine, where he had a chance to show off his skills before representatives of all 32 NBA teams. Although he said he was “50-50” between staying in the draft and returning to school, the general consensus of those in attendance was that he needed more time at the college level to develop his game.

Underclassmen that have not yet hired an agent have until May 25 to withdraw from the draft.

“I’m glad I had the chance to enter the draft and attend the Combine where I was able to meet with a number of NBA executives and test my game against some of the top players in the country,” Jackson said in a statement. “But after discussing it with my parents and coaches and praying over this decision, the best choice for my basketball future is to return to school and play for the Tar Heels next season.

Jackson

“My dream certainly is to play in the NBA and going through the draft process this year was another step toward reaching that goal, but I’ve loved my first two years at Carolina and am excited about the upcoming season. It’s going to be a fun year, I will be another year closer to earning my degree and can continue to develop as a person and a player.”

Jackson’s return, along with that of fellow junior Kennedy Meeks — who withdrew from the draft earlier in the process — will give coach Roy Williams another veteran team next season capable of making another deep run into the NCAA tournament.

The Tomball, Tex., native has started 75 of his 78 games in a UNC uniform, scoring 895 points in his first two seasons.

“Justin certainly did the right thing in entering the draft because it helped him and his family make the decision with the most complete information possible,” Williams said. “Justin is a terrific player and an even finer young man and he’s going to be a big part of our basketball team next year.”